65th Congress, , 
^d Session. j 



HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. 



Report 
No. 239. 



January 14, 1918.- 



MINIMUM WAGE BILL. 



-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state 
of the Union and ordered to be printed. 



Mr. Nolan, from the Cor&mittee on Labor, submitted the following 

REPOiiT. 



[To accompany H. R. 152.] 

The Committee on Labor, to which was referred the bill (H. R. 
152) introduced by Mr. Nolan to fix the compensation of certain 
employees of the United States, having considered the same, report 
thereon with the recommendation that it pass. 

The bill as reported by the committee reads as follows: 

[H. R. 152, Sixty-fifth Congress, first session.] 
A BILL To fix the compensation of certain employees of the United States. " 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America 
in Congress assembled, That after the beginning of the first fiscal year following the 
passage of this act the minimum compensation of any person employed by the United 
States or by the government of the District of Columbia shall be not less than $3 
per day; or if employed bj'^ the hour, not less than 37| cents per hour; or if employed 
by the month, not less than $90 per month; or if employed by the year, not less than 
$1,080 per annum: Provided, That persons employed on a monthly or annual salary 
basis and who regularly perform less than a full day's service shall receive compen- 
sation at the rate of not less than 37 J cents per hour: Provided further , That the pro- 
visions of this act shall not apply to persons enlisted in the military branches of the 
Government nor to persons receiving quarters and subsistence in addition to their 
compensation, nor to the employees in the Philippine Islands, Porto Rico, the Ter- 
ritory of Hawaii, the Territory of Alaska, and the Panama Canal Zone, nor to persons 
holding appointments as postmasters: Provided further , That the provisions of this act 
shall apply only to those persons who have been continuously in the employ of the 
Government of the United States or in the employ of the government of the_ District 
of Columbia for a period of not less than two years, and who shall have attained the 
age of twenty years. 

Sec. 2. That upon the passage of this act the heads of departments in which are 
employed persons as defined in section one of this bill shall issue new appointments 
at the increased rate of compensation herein provided. 

Friday, January 11, was set by the committee for hearings on this 
bill. On that date the following representatives of organizations 
appeared in favor of the Nolan bill (H, R. 152): H. M. McLarin, 
president National Federation of Federal Employees; W. F. Gib- 
bons, secretary National Association of Post Office Clerks of the 



/f -/ (^/3L 



\.:»=:^' 



2 MINIMUM WAGE BILL. 

United States; E. J. Cantwell, secretary National Association of 
Letter Carriers; Edward J. Gainor, president National Association 
of Letter Carriers; FlDrence Etheridge, vice president National 
Federation of Federal Employees; Thomas F, Flaherty, secretary- 
treasurer National Federation of Post Office Clerks; A. Bridges, 
corresponding secretary Washington Navy Yard Employees; F. H. 
Ainsworth, president Federal Employees Union of San Francisco; 
N. P. Alifas, president International Association of Machinists; 
William C. Webber, president Boilermakers Local No. 450; J. T. 
Nussear, E. C. McGregor, International Association of Machinists; 
Frank J. Goodman, International Association of Boilermakers; 
John S. Beach, president Federal Employees Union No. 2; R. Tay- 
lor, Gertrude McCally, Mary E. Ganzhorn, Nora B. James, Lula V. 
Harris, Beatrice Allpress, Isabel E. Mellen, Gertrude I. Noyes, of 
the Federal Labor Union, No. 12776, Bureau of Engraving and 
Printing; 

In addition to the foregoing the bill has been unanimously in- 
dorsed by the American Federation of Labor at the annual con- 
ventions held by that body for the last five years; also by practically 
every State federation of labor, as well as nearly every central labor 
^ union in the country. 

This bill has also been indorsed l^y Grand Army posts and Spanish 
War veterah camps all over the United States. 

The Committee on Labor during the Sixty-fourth Congress held 
extensive, hearings on this bill covering a period of several weeks. 
The testimony taken at that time is contained in a volume of 423 
pages and consists of the statements of committees representing the 
various organizations interested; also the testimony of individual 
employees, as weU as statistics as to increase in prices and tables 
showing the annual cost of keeping a family. 

If the Committee on Labor of the Sixty-fourth Congress was justi- 
fied in recommending that the bill do pass, and they took this action 
unanimously, there is ample justification for the action of the com- 
mittee in this session in reporting the bill out promptly and asking 
the House to pass it without delay to relieve the privation and 
distress prevailing in the homes of Governm.ent employees who are 
paid the lowest salaries. 

Tile committee submits a pamphlet from tlie Monthly Review 
(January, 1918), issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, covering 
increases in prices covering a period of five years, from 1913 to 1917, 
inclusive: 

(From the Monthly Review (January, 1918) of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department 

of Labor.) 

Prices and Cost of Livino. 

RETAII, PRICES OFT^OOD IN THE UNITED STATES. 

The retail price of food as a whole shows a decrease of 1 per cent in NoA^ember. 
1917. as compared with the mouth previous. Of the 27 articles for which prices are 
reported to the Bureau of Jjabor Statistics 12 decreased in price. 4 remained the same, 
and'll articles showed an increase as compared with October. 

Pork chops decreased 11 per cent; hens. 5 per cent; sirloin and round steak, 4 per 
cent each; flour, 3 per cent; and sugar. 2 per cent. Onions increased in price 18 per 
cent; lard and butter, 4 per cent each; eggs, 5 per cent; potatoes, ?, per cent; rice, 2 
per cent; and meal, 1 per cent. Beans. ]>read. ham, and bacon remained the same 
price as in October. 



D. of.D. 

MAY 16 1918 






MIKIMUM WAGE BILL. 



3 



The following table shows the course of prices in the United States in October and 
-X November, 1917: 

■T Average money retail prices and relative retail prices of food on Oct. 15 and Nov. 15, 1917. 

[The relative price shows the per cent that the average price on the 15th of each month was of the average 
* price for the year 1916.] 





Unit. 


Average inoney price. 


Relati\ 


e price. 


Article. 














Oct. 15, 


Nov. 15, 


Oct. 15, 


Nov. IS, 






1917. 


1917. 


1917. 


1917. 


Sirloin steak. , 


Pound 

...do 


$0,330 
.3;;9 
.257 
.218 
. 165 
.388 


SO. 317 
.296 
.250 
.212 
.163 
.345 


121 

126 
121 
127 
129 
171 


116 


Round steak 


121 


Rib roast. 


...do 


118 


Chuck roast 


...do . . 


123 


Plate lieef . . . : 


...do 


127 


Pork chops 


...do. 


152 


Bacon 


...do 


.4S2 
. .426 
.312 
.312 
.283 
.551 


.482 
.426 
.326 
.295 
.287 
.581 


168 
145 
178 
132 
140 
147 


168 


Ham 


...do 


145 


Lard 


...do.. . . 


186 


Hens 


...do 


125 


Salmon, canned 


...do. .. . 


142 


Es^gs 


Dozei} 

Pound.... 
...do 


155 


Butter 


.508 
.348 


.628 
.346 


129 
135 


134 


Cheese 


134 


Milk 


Quart 


.127 


.128 


141 


141 


Bread 


10-oz.ioafi 


.088 


.088 


135 


135 


Flour 


Pound 


.070 


.068 


159 


155 


Corn meal • 


...do 


.070 


.071 


276 


209 


Rice 


...do 


.111 


.114 


122 


125 


Potatoes 


...do 


.031 


.032 


115 


119 


Onions 


...do 


.049 


.058 


100 


118 


Beans, navy 


...do 


.189 


.189 


172 


172 


Prunes 


...do 


.165 


.166. 


123 


124 


Raisins, seeded 


...do 


.150 


.148 


116 


115 


Sugar 


...do 


.097 


.095 


121 


119 


Cofifee 


...do 


.305 


.302 


102 


101 


Tea 


...do...... 

. 


.612 


.617 


112 


113 


All articles combined 






138 


136 


»■ 1 









> 16 ounces, weight of dough. 

In the year from November 15, 1916, to November 15, 1917, p ices of food as a 
whole advanced 23 per cent. Potatoes is the only article that shows a decline in 
price. Corn meal advanced 87 per cent; bacon 62 per cent; pork chops 48 per cent; 
beans 39 per cent; salmon 38 per cent; milk 33 per cen ; and lard 27 per cent. 

Food as a whole was 48 per cent higher on November 15, 1917, than on November 15, 
1913, and 46 per cent higher than on November 15, 1914. During this four-year 
period, corn meal advanced 127 per cent; flour 109 per cent; lard 104 per cent; bacon 
77 per cent; sugar 75 per cent; and potatoes 72 per cent. No article declined in price. 

Taking November in each of the four years, November, 1915, only shows a decline 
in'price of food as a whole when compared with the same month in a preceding year. 
For November, 1915, the price of food as a whole was the same as in November, 1913, 
and. was 1 per cent lower than in November, 1914. 

A table showing the average and relative retail prices in November of each year 
from 1913 to 1917 follows. 



'•M)i0^i-Wmsmi- 



4 MIJXIMUM WACiK BllJ.. 

Averaije money retail ■prices and relative retail prices of food on Nov. 15 of each year, IJIS 

to 1917, inclusive. 

[The reJative price shows the per cent that the average price on Nov. 15 of each year was of the average 

price for the year 1916.] 





Unit. 


Average money price Nov. 


15— 


Relative price Nov. 15— 


Article. 


1913 


1914 


1915 


1916 


1917 


1913 


1914 


1915 


1916 


1917 


Sirloin steak 

Round steak 


Pound 

...do 

...do 


80.254 
.228 
.197 


80.254 
.235 
.204 
.167 
.128 
.218 
.281 
.273 
.156 
.205 

".'450 
.394 


$0,257 
.228 
.199 
.162 
.120 
.209 
.273 
.268 
.145 
.203 
.198 
.458 
.366 
.232 
.089 
.062 
.037 
.032 
.090 
.017 
.033 
.085 
.133 
.125 
.065 
.299 
.546 


$0,270 
.243 
.210 
.170 
.128 
.234 
.298 
.332 
.256 
.238 
.208 
.514 
.437 
.292 
.096 
.075 
.057 
.038 
.091 
.035 
.051 
.136 
.138 
.137 
.086 
.299 
.546 


$0,317 
.296 
.250 
.212 
.163 
.345 
.482 
.426 
.326 
.295 
.287 
.581 
.528 
.346 
.128 
.088 
.068 
.071 
.114 
.032 
.058 
.189 
.166 
.148 
.095 
.302 
.617 


93 
93 
93 

"'95' 
95 
92 
91 

87 

"i32' 

98 

"ioo' 

"74' 
92 


93 
96 
96 
97 
100 
96 
98 
93 
89 
87 

120' 
100 

"'99' 

88 
83 
96 


-94 
93 
94 
94 
94 
92 
95 
91 
83 
86 
98 

122 
93 
90 
98 
95 
84 
95 
99 
62 
68 
77 
99 
97 
81 

100 

100 

92 


99 
99 

99 
99 
100 
103 
104 
113 
146 
101 
103 
137 
111 
113 
106 
115 
129 
112 
100 
128 
105 
124 
103 
106 
107 
100 
100 

111 


116 
121 

118 


Chuck roast 

Plate beef 


...do 

...do 


123 
127 




...do 


.216 
.273 
.270 
.159 
.205 

"."495' 
.386 


152 




...do 


168 




...do 


145 




...do 


186 




...do 


125 


Salmon, canned 

Eggs 


...do 

Dozen 

Pound 

...do 


142 
155 


Butter 


134 




134 


Milk 


Quart 

16-oz.loafi 

Pound 

...do 


.091 

".'633" 
.031 


.090 
.057 
.037 
.033 


141 


Bread 


135 


Flour 


155 


Corn meal 


209 




...do .. 


125 


Potatoes 


...do 

...do 


.019 


.015 


69 


54 


119 
118 




...do. . . 










172 




...do 










124 




...do 






'"es" 

92 


"'77' 
93 


115 




...do 


.054 


.062 


119 


Coffee 


...do 


101 


Tea i 


...do 






113 


All articles combined.. 








136 

















» 16 ounces, weight of dough. 

The two tables which follow give average retail prices for 29 articles in 45 cities. 

For 16 cities average prices are shown for November 15, 1913, November 15, 1916 
and for October 15 and November 15, 1917. 

For 29 cities average prices are given for November 15, 1917. The prices for gro- 
ceries in Jacksonville, Fla., are not shown, as less than 80 per cent of the grocers of 
that city sent in their reports to the btu'eau. 



^1 



MINIMUM WAGP: bill. 



Average retail prices of the principal articles of food for 16 selected cities for Nov. 15, 1913, 
1916, and 1917, and Oct. 15, 1917. 

r he average prices shown below are computed from reports sent monthly to the bureau by retail dealers 
As some'dealers occasionally fail to report, the number of quotations varies from month to month.] 



" 






Atlanta, Ga. 




Baltimore, Md. 


Boston 


, Mass 




Article. 


irnit. ^. 

1' 1 

: IS 


ov. 
13. 


Nov. 

15, 

1916. 


191T 


Nov. 

15, 

1913. 


Nov. 

15, 

1916. 


1917 

Oct. Nov. 
15. 15. 


Nov. 

15, 
1913. 


Nov. 

15, 

1916. 


1917 




Oct. 
15. 


Nov. 
15. 


Oct. 
15. 


Nov, 
15. 


Sirloin steak 

Round steak 


Lb....i$0 
Lb....l 
Lb....l 
Lb.... 
Lb ' 


242 
213 
190 
158 


$0. 254 
.219 
.194 
.151 
.106 
.245 
.315 
.330 
.214 
.244 
.223 
.166 
.433 
.370 
.443 
.308 
.125 
.076 
.053 
.031 
.079 
.040 
.057 
.135 
.133 
.149 
.09.5 
.282 
.617 


$0,311 
.278 
.241 
.212 
.157 
.399 
.490 
.439 
.319 
.316 
.337 
.246 
.482 

"".'55i^ 
.355 
.159 
.091 
.072 
.0.59 
.108 
.038 
.059 
.188 
.179 
.162 
.104 
.294 
.796 


$0,309 
.280 
.238 
.202 
.150 
.363 
.501 
.432 
.328 
.321 
.317 
.235 
.501 
.435 

" .551 
. . 347 
.175 
.090 
.071 
.054 
.111 
.040 
.059 
.188 
.180 
.161 
.110 
.292 
.784 


$0. 228 
.213 
.175 
.150 

"."182 
.212 
.275 
.150 
.180 
.202 

"'.4.59 
.331 

.384 

'."087 

".'oii 

.026 

".'ois 

".'048 


$0,248 
.232 
.200 
.162 
.138 
.208 
.255 
.3.50 
.200 
.240 
.250 
.170 
.488 
.388 
.446 
.290 
.092 
.063 
.059 
.031 
.098 
.034 
.0.52 
.146 
.130 
.128 
.080 
.235 
.550 


$0,326 
.315 
.259 
.220 
.169 
.371 
.457 
.477 
.326 
.333 
.321 
.254 
.519 

".'538 
.360 
.117 
.082 
.070 
.004 
.112 
.030 
.055 
.187 
.165 
.146 
.092 
.277 
.634 


$0,311 
.301 
.253 
.220 
.175 
.333 
.451 
.468 
.327 
.313 
.296 
.255 
.580 
.440 
..539 
.3.58 
.120 
.082 
.068 
.064 
.114 
.030 
.0)9 
.190 
.173 
.146 
.096 
.281 
.649 


$0,310 $0,352 
.350' .357 
. 239 . 258 
. 162; . 202 


$0,442 
.449 
.315 
.269 


$0. 418 
.421 
.307 


Chuck roast 


^ .249 


Pork chops 

Bacon, sliced 

Ham, sliced 

Lard 

Lamb 


Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb... 
Lb : . . 


250 
311 
308 
153 
202 
210 


.224 
.246 
.310 
.158 
.205 
.243 

".'606 
.352 
.382 

"".'089 

".'036 
.035 

'".m 

".'654 


.249 
.271 
.358 
.221 
.251 
.268 
.203 
. 669 
.398 
.428 
.275 
.096 
.068 
.064 
.043 
.099 
.035 
.0.57 
.131 
.144 
.143 
.086 
.334 
.600 


.409 
.458 
.456 
.309 
.345 
.344 
.294 
.660 

'"."524 
.328 
.1.30 
.081 
.075 
.075 
.115 
.034 
.056 
.184 
.168 
.150 
.098 
.341 
.646 


.353 
.458 
.443 
.329 
.336 


Hens 


.326 




.300 


Eggs, strictly fresh. 

Eggs, storage 

Butter 

Cheese 

Milk 

Bread 

Flour 

Corn meal 

Rice. . 


Doz... 

Doz 

Lb.... 

Lb 

Qt.... 
16-oz.i. .. 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb 


400 
398 

m 

035 
026 


.737 
.477 
.517 
.326 
.140 
.081 
.075 
.076 
.118 


Potatoes 

Onions 


Lb.... 

Lb 

Lb 


023 


.035 
.0.58 


Beans, navy 

Prunes.!. 


.184 


Lb 

Lb 




.168 


Raisins 


.150 


Sugar 

Coffee 


Lb.... 
Lb ... ., 


057 


.102 
.344 


Tea 


Lb.J.. .. 




.648 














I 


Juflfalo 


, N. Y 






Chica; 


;o. 111. 




C! 


evelan 


d, Ohi 


0. 


Sirloin steak 

Round steak 

Rib roast 


Lb.... SO 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 

Lb 

Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb . ... 


222 
194 
1G4 
152 

'igs 

212 
263 
142 
156 
200 


10.240 
.220 
.182 
.162 
.131 
.226 
.248 
.333 
.203 
.192 
.236 
.180 
.600 
.358 
.428 
.291 
.100 
.070 
.0.56 
.032 
.093 
.034 
.046 
.138 
.135 
.120 
.082 
.286 
.479 


$0,315 
.293 
.247 
.220 
.172 
.388 
.461 
.4,32 
.306 
.289 
.309 
.275 
.551 

'".hio 

.333 
.130 
.089 
.065 
.070 
.108 
.031 
.056 
.182 
.156 
.137 
.100 
.293 
.534 


$0,311 
.289 
.243 
.220 
.166 
.349 
.460 
.424 
.315 
.276 
.297 
.280 
.595 
.428 
.506 
.334 
.140 
.087 
.064 
.074 
.113 
.032 
.050 
.196 
.166 
.140 
.099 
.295 
.539 


10. 247 
.214 
.195 
.159 

".'193 
.324 
.323 
.1.50 
.193 
.174 

".'398 
.303 
.365 

".'oso 

".'029 
.029 

".'6i7 

".'osi 


$0,268 
.225 
.219 
.167 
.131 
.212 
.316 
.346 
.201 
.220 
.210 
.243 
.271 
.379 
.424 
.296 
.090 
.070 
.052 
.038 
.094 
.035 
.050 
.140 
.139 
.150 
.079 
.300 
.525 


.$0,306 
.273 
.247 
.213 
.165 
.358 
.475 
.439 
.299 
.314 
.271 
.300 
.469 

".'487 
.368 
.129 
.093 
.066 
.071 
.103 
.028 
.018 
.186 
.161 
.145 
.088 
.285 
.573 


$0,297 

.265 
.245 
.206 
.162 
.312 
.497 
.445 
.309 
.282 
.258 
.301 
.496 
.411 
.492 
.374 
.119 
.090 
.064 
.069 
.114 
.027 
.045 
.190 
.163 
.150 
.085 
.287 
.588 


$0,250 
.224 
.186 
.170 

".'2if. 
.281 
.357 
.163 
.181 
.199 

".'566 
.357 
.407 

".'oso 

"."632 
.030 

" '."626 
"'.'654 


$0,250 
.223 
.198 
.173 
.121 
.228 
.299 
2.224 
.228 
.212 
.236 
.183 
.560 
.420 
.458 
.287 
.090 
.069 
.058 
.037 
.093 
.038 
.058 
.147 
.134 
.139 
.086 
.288 
.475 


•SO. 307 

.288 
.232 
.211 
.158 
.387 
.468 
.430 
.318 
.306 
.317 
.270 
.570 

" ".'536 
.350 
.120 
.089 
.071 
.073 
.111 
.032 
.050 
.191 
. 165 
.143 
.097 
.291 
.566 


$0,290 
.270 
.226 


Chuck roast 

Plate beef 


.206 
.156 


Pork chops 

Bacon, sliced 

Ham, sliced 

Lard 


.331 

.467 
.441 
.332 


Lamb 


.288 


Hens 


.294 




.291 


Eggs, strictly fresh. 

Eggs, storage 

B utter 


Doz... 
Doz... 
Lb.... 
Lb 


485 
306 
381 


.605 
.431 
.530 




.348 


Milk 


Qt.... 
16-oz.i. .. 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 

Lb 

Lb.... 
Lb . . .. 


080 

030 
026 

ois 


.120 


Bread 


.089 


Flour 


.069 


Corn meal 


.076 


Rice 


.118 


Potatoes 


.033 


Onions 


.055 


Beans, navy 

Prunes 


Lb 




.194 


Lb . .. 




.179 




Lb 




.143 


Sugar 


Lb.... 
Lb 


053 


.097 


Coffee 


.295 


Tea 


Lb.. .. 




.556 











* Loaf; 16 ounces, weight of dough. 



Whole. 



6 MINIMUM WAGE BILL. 

Average retail prices of the principal articles of food for 16 selected cities for Nov: 15, 1913, 
1916, and 1917, and Oct. 15, /9J7~Continued. 





Unit. 


Denver, Colo. 


Detroit 


, Mich 




Milwaukee, Wis, 


Article. 


Nov. 

15, 

1913. 


Nov. 
15, 
1916. 


1917 


Nov. 

15, 

1913. 


Nov. 

15, 

1916. 


1917 


Nov. 

15, 

1913. 


Nov. 

15, 

1916. 


1917 




Oct. 
15. 


Nov. 
15. 


Oct. 
15. 


Nov. 
15. 


Oct. 
15, 


Nov. 
15. 


Sirloin steak 

Round steak 

Rib roast 


Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Doz... 
Doz... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 


$0,229 
.203 
.167 
.153 

".'264 
.280 
.292 
.160 
.1.52 
.185 

".'4.56 
.330 
.350 


$0,234 
.190 
.184 
.160 
.105 
.209 
.325 
.338 
.213 
.194 
.216 
.185 
.510 
.400 
.440 
.306 
.083 
.076 
.049 
.034 
.093 
.031 
.041 
.115 
.135 
.146 
.085 
.300 
.510 


$0,307 
.285 
.232 
.207 
.144 
.402 
.520 
.463 
.329 
.303 


$0,282 
.262 
.220 
.197 
.138 
.346 
.506 
.468 
.344 
.298 


$0,256 
.206 
.200 
.152 

■'.'i94 
.223 
.270 
.164 
.151 
.192 

'".lib 

.322 
.371 

'".m 
'".bzi 

.029 

"."6i7 



".'652 


$0,248 
.216 
.204 
.162 
.121 
.218 
.253 
1.227 
.208 
.202 
.234 
.192 
.485 
.390 
.428 
.282 
.100 
.073 
.057 
.034 
.085 
.035 
.048 
.144 
.128 
.12^4 
.080 
.280 
.430 


$0,305 
.275 
.242 
.197 
.1.58 
.369 
.4,57 
.436 
.314 
.313 
.314 
.288 
.532 

"."562 
.344 
.120 
.084 
.068 
.075 
.116 
.029 
.049 
.194 
.170 
.140 
.104 
.307 
,545 


S0.294'$0.236 
. 268 . 216 
.235 .184 
. 193 . 162 

.154 

.326 .196 
.4.58 .278 
.420! .282 
.333 .100 


$0,243 $0,293 
.216 .280 
.186 .2.38 
,166 .217 
,121 ,160 
.214 .370 
.300 .472 
.300: '^'^e 
.214! .315 
.227; .316 
.206 .272 
,219 ,277 
.438 .482 

.373 

.424 .499 
.306 ,369 
.080 .110 
.075 .0,89 
.058 .069 
.043 .078 
.096 .114 
.035 .027 
,051 ,047 
. 140 , 193 
,147 .105 
.138 .148 
.084 .091 
.283 .263 
.528 .584 


$0,280 
.269 
.229 


Chuck roast 

Plate beef 

Pork chops 

Baconfsliced 

Ham, sliced 

Lard 


.205 
.152 
.310 
.475 
.430 
.324 


Lamb 


. 286^ . 190 
. 293 . 172 


.298 


Hens 


.2841 .278 
.264; .269 
.503' .528 

1 .444 

.495 .485 
.352| .351 
.1161 .120 
.089: .089 
.0.571 .057 
.061' .061 
.111! .116 
.0231 .029 
.039 .049 
.185 .186 
.179! .182 
.144! -l*^ 
.089 .089 
.300' .300 
.573j .577 


.238 


Salmon, canned... 
Eggs, strictly fresh. 

Eggs, storage 

Butter 


.293 
.582 
.411 
.505 
.342 
,120 
,082 
.066 
.083 


.450 
,330 
,366 

".'676 

".'631 
.033 


.278 
.483 
.414 
.498 


Cheese 


.344 


Milk 


Qt.... 

16 0Z.2. 

Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 


.084 

".'625 
.026 


.110 


Bread 


.088 


Flour 


.064 


Corn meal 


.077 


Rice 


.1181 

.0271 .017 

.0.55 

.191 

.164 

,136 

.0881 .053 


.115 




Lb.... 
Lb.... 


.016 


.028 


Onions 


,048 


Beans, navy 

Prunes 

Raisins 


Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 




.195 
.158 
.147 


Sugar 


Lb.... 
Lb.. 


.051 


.088 


Coffee 


.299 
.576 




.270 


Tea 


Lb.... 




.586 




Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Doz... 
Doz... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 








N 


3wYo 


-k, N. Y. 


Philadelphia, Pa. 


Pittsburgh, Pa. 


Sirloin steak 

Round steak 


$0.2.59 
.254 
.213 
.160 

".'226 
.2,56 
1.198 
.102 
.151 
.211 

'".mi 

.373 
.399 


$0,274 
.271 
.226 
.171 
.161 
.243 
.272 
1.224 
.210 
.192 
.255 
.214 
.554 
.402 
.442 
.283 
.098 
.069 
.058 
.046 
.092 
.040 
.059 
.141 
.137 
.131 
.080 
.262 
.445 


$0.35680.326 
.3601 .335 
. 298 - 27f) 


$0,305 
.257 
.215 
.ISO 

".'225 
.269 
,304 
.155 

.188 
.231 

'".'508 
.347 
,443 

'".bhb 

".'632 
.029 

■■,"623 

'".'o'ob 


$0,322 
.279 
,234 
.195 
,132 
.246 
.299 
,357 
,216 
.236 
.273 
.187 
.524 
.397 
.486 
.295 
.088 
.056 
.053 
.035 
.097 
.040 
.055 
.133 
.139 
.123 
.080 
.285 
.550 


$0,392 
,365 
.291 
.252 
.174 
.400 
,467 
,479 
,328 
,331 
,344 
.200 
,548 

".'562 
.361 
.110 
.079 
.075 
,071 
.118 
.038 
.056 
.185 
.164 
.139 
.094 
.283 
,583 


$0,374 
.344 
.283 
.237 
.169 
.350 
.469 
.482 
.330 
.311 
.322 
.263 
.593 
.434 
.567 
.3.57 
.122 
.078 
.072 
.072 
.123 
.038 
.054 
.184 
.167 
.133 
.096 
,279 
,585 


$0,273 
.240 
,217 
.173 

'".'225 
.301 
.298 
.1.57 
.203 
.238 

"."463 
.334 
.404 

'","692 

","632 
.030 

"".'626 
"."657 


$0,283 
.246 
.223 
.177 
.121 
.234 
.321 
.352 
.215 
.241 
.289 
.213 
.464 
.375 
.450 
.291 
.103 
.067 
.057 
.038 
.094 
.035 
.053 
.142 
.136 
.138 
,0,87 
,271 
,575 


$0,356 
,329 
.274 
.241 
.171 
.406 
.483 
.405 
.328 
.363 
.378 
.301 
.528 

"".'527 
.3.57 
.125 
.092 
.072 
.081 
.110 
.032 
.052 
.188 
.165 
.148 
.101 
.299 
.702 


$0,345 
.318 
.265 


Chuck roast. 

Plate beef......... 

Pork chops..! 


.236 
.213 
.399 
.464 
1.314 
.313 
.284 
.323 
.334 
.027 

".'riis 

.340 
.138 
.088 
.078 
.082 
.115 
.038 
.0.59 
.185 
.107 
.1^6 
.097 
.265 
.521 


.218 
.209 
.339 
.4.59 
1.309 
.331 
.265 
.295 
.340 
.647 
.446 
.516 
.338 
.140 
,088 
.077 
.083 
.119 
.030 
.060 
,187 
,169 
.147 
.100 
.261 
,532 


,231 
,168 
,350 


Bacon, sliced . . 

Ham, sliced 

Lard 

Lamb 

Hens 


,494 
.4.56 
.331 
.342 
.338 


Salmon, canned 

Eggs, strictly fresh. 

Eggs, storage 

Butter 

Cliecse 


.299 
.553 
.453 
.528 
.351 


Milk 


Qt.... 
16oz.a. 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb 


.090 

".'032 
.035 


.127 


Bread 


,090 


Flour 

Cora meal 


,070 
,087 


Rice 


.112 


Potatoes 

Onions. 


Lb.... 
Lb 


.023 


.033 
,053 


Beans, navy 

Prunes 


Lb.... 
Lb.... 




,195 
,172 


Raisins 


Lb.... 




,146 


Sugar 


Lb.... 
Lb 


.049 


,105 


Coll'ee 


,298 


Tea 


Lb.... 




.715 











» Whole 



2 Loaf; 16 ounces, weight of dough. 



MINIMUM WAGE BILL, 7 

Average retail prices of the principal articles of food for 16 selected cities for Nov. 15. 
1913, 1916, and 1917, and Oct. 15, /9i7— Continued. 





Unit. 


St. Louis, Mo. 


San Francisco, Cal. 


Article. 


Nov 15, 
1913. 


Nov. 15, 
1916. 


1917 


Nov. 15, 
1913. 


Nov. 15, 
1916. 


1917 




Oct. 15. 


Nov. 15. 


Oct. 15. 


Nov. 15. 


Sirloin steak 

Round steak 

Rib roast 


Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 


$0,266 
.2.36 
.201 
.160 


$0,258 
.243 
.203 
.166 
.128 
.196 
.274 
.288 
.201 
.222 
.200 
.187 
.430 
.383 
.446 
.303 
.080 
.069 
.0.54 
.033 
.086 
.035 
.053 
.141 
.144 
.156 
.081 
.242 
.543 


$0,308 
.301 
.2.56 
.206 
.166 
.374 
.486 
.4.56 
.293 
.308 
.275 
. 284 
,460 

"""."526" 
.369 
.132 
.093 
.063 
.066 
.106 
.029 
.047 
.192 
.173 
.167 
.089 
.283 
.628 


$0. 296 
.289 
.219 
.205 
.167 
.301 
.480 
.456 
.315 
.295 
.248 
.285 
.471 
.393 
.622 
.353 
.130 
.092 
.061 
.064 
.112 
.031 
.044 
.187 
.170 
.168 
.088 
.281 
,626 


$0,210 
.197 
.213 
,155 


$0,205 
.196 
.207 
,143 
,133 
.237 
.367 
.350 
.211 
.206 
.278 
.179 
.592 ' 
.3'i0 
.413 
.238 
.100 
.070 
.050 
.013 
.084 
.030 
.041 
.123 
.124 
.127 
.082 
.317 
.517 


$0. 236 
.231 
.232 
.162 
.157 
.363 
.519 
.475 
.302 
.306 
.315 
.219 
.608 


$0,240 
.236 
.234 




.167 


Plate beef 


,162 




Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb....' 
Doz... 
Do7,...! 
Lb....i 

Lb 

Qt....! 
16 oz.i. 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb 


.i7S 
.258 
.273 
.129 I 
.183 ' 
.165 1 

""".'389 i 
.325 
.381 

"'""."oss" 


."629" 

.025 

"""".'ois' 


.242 

.314 

.320 

.177 

,170 ' 

.248 


.363 


Bacnn, slij'ed 


.5,37 

.488 




.322 




.289 




,334 




.2,50 


Eges, stri:-tiy fresli. . 

E^£;s, storage 

Butter 


.650 
.407 
.404 


,638 
.451 


.645 
.316 
.121 
.083 
.064 
.074 
.105 
.031 
.032 
.177 
,1.52 
,143 
,082 
,303 
.534 


.501 




.324 


Milk 


.100 


.121 


Bread 


.083 


Flour 


.034 
.035 


.061 




.074 


Rice 


.108 


Potatoes 


.019 


.031 
.034 


Beans, navy 


Lb.... 
Lb 






.174 





,147 


Raisins 


Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 


""".'651' 


"'"".'654" 


,132 
,081 


ColTee 


.305 


Tea 





,539 




Lb'.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 












Seattle 


Wash. 






Wastungt 


on. D. C. 






$0. 236 
.206 
.200 
.156 


$0. 224 
.200 
.186 
.140 
.109 
.230 
.320 
.310 
,197 
.200 
.218 
.188 
.600 
.380 
.437 
.244 
.098 
. 064 
.048 
.039 
.084 
.023 
.048 
.131 
.133 
.131 
.088 
.326 
,500 


$0,267 
.251 
.225 
,181 
,153 
,400 
.490 
.431 
,301 
,2S7 
,271 
.277 
.052 


$0. 267 

.253 

.221 

.183 

.154 

.396 

.522 

.434 

.307 

.296 

.283 

.288 

.666 

1 .488 

.542 

.308 

.120 

.092 

,059 

.074 

.111 

' . 02? 

i .045 

1 , 187 

.144 

i .134 

i ,088 

,311 

,554 


$0. 265 
.225 
.210 
,176 


$0,268 
.234 
.214 
.ISO 
.139 
.236 
,272 
.325 
.200 
.232 
,248 
.172 
.495 
.398 
.464 
.282 
,100 
,073 
.057 
.031 
.003 
.031 
.044 
,139 
,146 
.132 
.081 
.294 
.512 


$0,350 
.337 
.278 
.243 
.191 
,415 
,497 
.438 
.318 
.360 
,325 
,236 
.546 


$0,360 


Round steak 


,332 
.277 




,237 


Plate beef 


.184 




Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 


.240 
.320 
.300 
.169 
.181 
.242 


.214 
.264 
.313 
,150 
,191 
213 

■""","479' 
.350 
,403 


.370 


Ba3on, sliced 


.492 
.432 




.325 


Lamb 


.337 




.311 


Saumn, canned 


.269 


Eggs, strictly fresti.. 

Eggs, storage 

Butter 


Doz... 
Doz... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 


,592 
.375 
.408 


,645 
.453 


.546 
.312 
,120 
,092 
,060 
.075 
.109 
.023 
.040 
.190 
.146 
.145 
.089 
,316 
.542 


.534 
.351 
,140 
.090 
.075 
,062 
.11'^ 
,031 
,054 
,201 
.178 
.154 
.094 
.281 
,592 


.534 




.354 


Milk 


Qt.... 
16oz.'. 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb 


.100 

"".'629" 
.032 


,090 


.140 




.090 




,038 
,026 


.073 


Corn meal.. 

nice 


,067 
.121 




Lb.... 
Lb 


.014 


.018 


.033 




,062 


Beans, navy 


Lb.... 






,201 


Lb.... 




,177 




Lb.... 




"'■'."osi" 


.150 




Lb... 
Lb.... 
Lb... 


.061 


.096 




.286 


Tea . 




.630 













1 Loaf; 10 ounces, weight of dough. 



MINIMUM-WAGE BILL. 



Average retail prices of the principal articles of food for £9 cities for Nov. 7.5. 1917. 

(The average prices shown below are computed from reports sent monthly to the bureau by retail dealers. 
As some dealers occasionally fail to report, the number of quotations varies from month to month.] 



\ 


Unit. 






Average retail prices, Nov 


. 15, 1917. 






Article. 


Bir- 
ming- 
ham, 
Ala. 


Bridge- 
port, 
Conn. 


Butte, 
Mont. 


Charles- 
ton, 

s.d 


Cin- 
cin- 
nati, 
Ohio. 


Co- 
lum- 
bus, 
Ohio. 


Dallas, 
Tex. 


Fall 
River, 
Mass. 


Indi- 
anap- 
olis, 
Ind. 


Jack- 
son- 
ville, 
Fla. 


Sirloin steak 

Round steak 

Rib roast 


Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Doz... 
Doz... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Qt.... 
16-oz.'i. 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb..-. 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 

Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb-... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Doz... 
Doz... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Qt.... 

16-OZ.2. 

Lb-.-. 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb-... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 


10.340 
.310 
.250 
.202 
.163 
.348 
.530 
.445 
.329 
.325 
.286 
.278 
.488 
.450 
.561 
.341 
.152 
.094 
.071 
.050 
.124 
.036 
.055 
.194 
.150 
.163 
.104 
.333 
.739 

Kan- 
sas 

City, 
Mo. 


$0,396 
.378 
.312 
.257 
.165 
.352 
.513 
.496 
.324 
.295 
.283 
.341 
.745 
.467 
.504 
.343 
.140 
.09s 
.073 
.087 
.122 
.0.36 
.060 
.188 
.167 
.156 
.100 
.319 
.629 


$0,303 
.276 
.243 
.200 
.137 
.369 
.575 
.483 
.324 
.313 
.314 
.373 
.708 
.540 
.550 
.345 
.150 
.105 
.075 
.081 
.130 
.024 
.050 
.190 
.173 
.150 
.101 
.416 
.78? 


10.275 
.262 
.247 
.192 
.150 
.385 
.486 
.436 
.321 
.344 
.349 
.262 
.513 
.439 
.525 
.341 
.160 
.094 
.077 
.068 
.088 
.038 
.055 
.172 
.166 
.153 
.098 
.282 
.630 


$0,258 
.252 
.227 
.183 

, .153 
.317 
.451 
.427 
.312 
.278 
.298 
.262 
.518 
.453 
.612 
.359 
.120 
.080 
.072 
.068 
.118 
.032 
.051 
.185 
.163 
.146 
.094 
.274 
.700 


$0,321 
.298 
.251 
.2.33 
.178 
.333 
.457 
.456 
.333 
.317 
.300 
.269 
.502 
.447 
.507 
.340 
.110 
.087 
.067 
.066 
.116 
.030 
.057 
.192 
.159 
.152 
.099 
.289 
.716 


$0,304 
.292 
.248 
.213 
.177 
.365 
.525 
.470 
.301 
.325 
.260 
.280 
.491 
.438 
.498 
.358 
.150 
.087 
.066 
.074 
.114 
.038 
.056 
.181 
.171 
.148 
.097 
.340 
.808 


$0,420 
.362 
.272 
.228 

"'.'346' 
.441 
.434 
.319 
.330 
.324 
.277 
.729 
.465 
.501 
.328 
.128 
.085 
.077 
.080 
.117 
.034 
.053 
.181 
.166 
.148 
.105 
.328 
.506 


$0,312 
.304 
.228 
.213 
.162 
.343 
.484 
.442 
.316 
.250 
.260 
.233 
.619 
.413 
.518 
.380 
.103 
.084 
.069 
.065 
.123 
.031 
.052 
.203 
.178 
.167 
.099 
.294 
.833 


$0,312 
.291 
.238 


Chuck roast 


.193 


Plate beef 


.167 


Pork chops 


.367 


Bacon, sliced 

Ham, sliced 


.491 
.425 


Lard 


.326 


Lamb 


.312 


Hens 


,312 


Salmon, canned 

Eggs, strictly fresh.. 

Eggs, storage 

Butter 


(1) 

0) 
0) 


€heese 


V) 


Milk 


.150 


Bread 

Flour 


.090 
0) 


Corn meal 


(1) 


Rice 


h) 


Potatoes 


Q) 


Onions 


(^) 


Beans, navy 

Prunes 


0) 
0) 


Raisins 


0) 




0) 


Coffee 


(0 


Tea 


(') 








Little 
Rock, 
Ark. 


Los 
An- 
geles, 
Cal. 


Louis- 
ville, 
Ky. 


Man- 
ches- 
ter, 
N.H. 


Mem- 
phis, 
Term. 


Minne- 
apolis, 
Minn. 


New- 
ark, 
N.l 


New 
Ha- 
ven, 
Conn. 


New 
Or- 
leans, 
La. 


Sirloin steak 

Round steak 

Rib roast 


$0,311 
.286 
.231 
.197 
.161 
.3.33 
.494 
.440 
.338 
.259 
.253 
.288 
.468 
.424 
.500 
.350 
.123 
.094 
.065 
.072 
.111 
.032 
.051 
.193 
.148 
.154 
.099 
.262 
.592 


$0,300 
.273 
.244 
.195 
.166 
.359 
.509 
.415 
.340 
.288 
.269 
.295 
.481 
.450 
.530 
.374 
.165 
.089 
.069 
.060 
.104 
.0.35 
.053 
.187 
.183 
.149 
.091 
.328 
.750 


$0,265 
.240 
.222 
.189 
.157 
.368 
.527 
,522 
.309 
.297 
.326 
.298 
.62.5 
.449 
.485 
.342 
.120 
.079 
.063 
.076 
.102 
.020 
.037 
.173 
.151 
.133 
.084 
.303 
.571 


$0. 286 
.268 
.227 
.202 
.177 
.335 
.507 
.439 
.329 
.305 
.302 
.255 
.495 
.423 
.526 
.362 
.123 
.085 
.069 
.060 
.119 
.033 
.045 
.301 
.165 
.161 
.102 
.276 
.722 


$0,435 
.398 
.271 
.237 

"."322" 

.452 
.417 
.332 
.324 
.339 
.296 
.676 
.446 
.542 
.335 
.120 
.084 
.072 
.077 
.107 
.033 
.053 
.187 
.159 
.1.50 
.101 
.342 
.561 


$0,284 
.268 
.243 
.203 
.170 
.346 
.483 
.432 
.324 
.316 
.286 
.291 
.453 
.407 
.501 
.332 
.150 
.096 
.069 
.057 
.103 
.031 
.046 
.195 
.173 
.145 
.102 
.302 
.727 


$0,228 
.213 
.201 
.167 
.133 
.305 
.467 
.433 
.318 
.236 
.217 
.314 
.454 
.394 
.470 
.323 
.102 
.093 
.0.59 
.064 
.102 
.026 
.043 
.193 
.157 
.145 
.091 
.310 
.■504 


$0. 348 
.352 
.278 
.237 
.176 
.344 
.441 
.'324 
.332 
.308 
.308 
.344 
.706 
.479 
.536 
.354 
.140 
.082 
.077 
.080 
.117 
.037 
.060 
.182 
.169 
.147 
.100 
.298 
.530 


$0,398 
.365 
.302 

.268 

"."336" 
.498 
.500 
.332 
.338 
.338 
.322 
.792 
.480 
.518 
.3.36 
.128 
.087 
.071 
.078 
.114 
.034 
.054 
.191 
.172 
.152 
.108 
.335 
.550 


$0. 273 
.2.38 
.228 


Chuck roast 


.186 


Plate beef 


.161 


Pork chops 


.360 


Bacon, sliced 

Ham, sliced 


.530 
.450 


Lard 


.314 




.295 


Hens 


.297 


Salmon, canned 

Eggs, strictly fresh.. 

Eggs, storage 

Butter 


,319 
.461 
.397 
.512 


Cheese 


,348 


Milk 


.136 


Bread 


.080 


Flour 


.078 


Com meal 


.069 


Rice 


.101 


Potatoes 


.042 


Onions . '. 


.052 


Beans, navy 

Prunes 


.173 
,170 


Raisins 


,155 




,096 


Coffee 


.274 


Tea 


.613 







' Prices not shown, less than 80 per cent of reports from grocers for November, 1917, received by bureau. 
* Loaf; 16 ounces weight of doughi 



MINIMUM WAGE BILL. 9 

Average retail prices of the principal articles of food for 29 cities for Nov. IS, 1917 — Con. 





Unit. 






Average retail prices, 


Nov. 15, 


1917. 






Article. 


Omaha, 
Nebr. 


Port- 
land, 
Oreg. 


Provi- 
dence, 
R.I. 


Rich- 
mond, 
Va. 


Roches- 
ter, 
N.Y. 


St. Paul, 

Minn. 


Salt 
Lake 
City, 
Utah. 


Scran- 
ton, 
Pa. 


Sprmg- 

fleld, 

111. 


Sirloin steak 


Lb.... 


«0.300 


$0. 254 


$0,512 


$0. 328 


$0,293 


$0,270 


$0,277 


$0,332 


$0,320 


Round steak 


Lb.... 


.285 


.244 


.418 


.306 


.282 


.239 


.256 


.299 


.305 


Rib roast 


Lb.... 


.228 


.236 


.327 


.253 


.248 


.220 


.233 


.271 


.232 


Chuck roast 


Lb.... 


.200 


.182 


.289 


.235 


.232 


.189 


.195 


.225 


.218 


Plate beef 


Lb.... 


.150 


.145 




.189 


.177 


.138 


.157 


.165 


.180 


Pork chops 


Lb.... 


.322 


.347 


.362 


.369 


.354 


.309 


.392 


.358 


.344 


Bacon, sliced 


Lb.... 


.481 


.513 


.474 


.479 


.453 


.452 


.511 


.476 


.485 


Ham, sliced 


Lb.... 


.446 


.455 


.506 


i.3ao 


.427 


.438 


.432 


.429 


.435 


Lard 


Lb.... 


.332 


.330 


.339 


.328 


.334 


.334 


.345 


.319 


.330 


Lamb 


Lb.... 


.296 


.277 


.350 


.308 


.288 


.228 


.290 


.324 


.342 


Hens 


Lb.... 


.244 


.255 


.352 


.290 


.330 


.222 


.312 


.347 


.228 


Salmon, canned 


Lb.... 


.286 


.338 


.294 


.235 


.300 


^ .287 


.293 


.287 


.265 


Eggs, strictly fresh. 


Doz... 


.465 


.650 


.707 


.507 


.643 


.446 


.554 


.625 


.486 


Eggs, storage 


Doz... 


.422 


.497 


.481 


.460 


.439 


.403 


, .492 


.456 


.433 


Butter 


Lb.:.. 


.497 


.548 


.536 


.550 


.517 


.471 


.542 


.507 


.524 


Cheese 


Lb.... 


.349 


.317 


.340 


.355 


.343 


.334 


.339 


.325 


.377 


Milk 


Qt.... 


.120 


.124 


.130 


.143 


.128 


.103 


.111 


.124 


.125 


Bread 


16-OZ.2. 


.094 


.085 


.089 


.084 


.087 


.063 


.091 


.092 


.098 


Flour 


Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 


.063 
.067 
.114 
.029 
.044 
.180 


.057 
.071 
.116 
.022 
.042 
.163 


.072 
.075 
.116 
.037 
.052 
.185 


.072 
.062 
.117 
.036 
.061 
.211 


.069 
.078 
.115 
.030 
.052 
.198 


.061 
.066 
.110 
.026 
.039 
.201 


.054 
.074 
.102 
.021 
.045 
.194 


.074 

'".'iio' 

.032 
.058 
.190 


.067 




.072 


Rice 


.121 


Potatoes 


.030 




.050 


Beans, navy 


.211 


Prunes 


Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 
Lb.... 


.168 
.160 
.092 
.309 
.604 


.138 
.135 
.088 
.325 
.567 


.176 
.145 
.099 
.339 
.575 


.158 
.148 
.101 
.280 
.691 


.180 
.150 
.101 
.295 
,503 


.163 
.144 
.094 
.321 
.529 


.156 
.146 
.092 
.350 
.629 


.167 
.147 
.100 
.318 
.567 


.175 




.168 


Sugar 


.094 


Coffee 


.300 


Tea 


.658 







1 Whole. 



- Loaf; 16 ounces weight of dough. 



PRICE CHANGES. WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IN THE UNITED STATES. 

Figures compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics furnish a comparison of whole- 
sale and retail price changes among a number of important food articles since 1913. 
In collecting data for the comparison it was found that in some instances slight dif- 
ferences of grade or quality existed between the articles for which wholesale prices 
were obtainable and those for which retail prices could be secured. It was found 
impracticable, also, in most instances to obtain both kinds of quotations for the same 
date. The retail prices shown are uniformly those prevailing on the 15th of the month, 
while the wholesale prices are for a variable date, usually several days in advance of 
the 15th. For these reasons exact comparison of retail with wholesale prices can not 
be made. The figures are believed to be of interest, however, in showing price varia- 
tions in the retail as compared with the wholesale markets. 

In the table which follows the wholesale price is, in each case, the mean of the high 
and the low quotations on the date selected, as published in leading trade journals, 
while the retail price is the average of all prices reported directly to the bureau by 
reatilers for the article and city in question. To obtain a better comparison of whole- 
sale with retail prices, the list of articles has teen revif td to seme extent sicce the last 
issue of the Monthly Review. The base period has also been shifted to the year 1913 
in order to provide a fairer standard for measuring price charges. The initials W. 
and R. are used to designate wholesale and retail prices, respectively. 



mt 



Ji 



181 



10 



MINIMUM WAGE BILL. 



Wholesale and retail prices of important food articles in selected cities. 
[The initials W^wholesale; R==retail.] 



Article and city. 



Beef: 

Steer loin ends (hips), Chicago W . . 

Sirloin steak, Chicago R . . 

Beef: 

Steer rounds, No. 2, Chicago W. . 

Round steak, Chicago R . . 

Beef: 

Steer ribs. No. 2, Chicago . . . '. W . . 

Rib roast, Chicago R . . 

Beef: 

No. 2 loins, city, New York W.. 

Sirloin steak, New York R . . 

Beef: 

No. 2 rounds, city, New York..... W.. 

R ound steak, New York R . . 

Beef: 

No. 2 ribs, city. New York W . . 

Rib roast. New York R . . 

Pork: 

Loins, Chicago W . . 

Chops, Chicago R . . 

Pork: 

Loins, western. New York W.. 

Chops, New York R. . 

Bacon: 

Short clear sides, Chicago W. . 

Sliced, Chicago R . . 

fiam: 

Smoked, Chicago W. . 

Smoked, sliced, Chicago R . . 

Lard: 

Prime contract, New York W . . 

Pure, tub. New York R . . 

Lamb: 

Dressed, round, Chicago W. . 

Leg of, yearling, Chicago R . . 

Poultry: 

Dressed fowls, New York i. .W. . 

Dressed hens. New York R . . 

Butter: 

Creamery, extra, Chicago "W. . 

Creamery, extra, Chicago R . . 

Butter: 

Creamery, extra. New York W. . 

Creamery, extra. New York R . . 

Butter: 

Creamery, extra, San Francisco. . .W. . 

Creamery, extra, San Francisco... R. .■ 
Cheese: 

Whole milk, American twins, 
Chicago W. . 

Full cream, American, Chicago... R. . 
Cheese: 

Whole milk. State, New York W. . 

Full cream, American/New York.R . . 
Cheese: 

Fancy California flats, San Fran- 
cisco W . . 

Full cream, American, San Fran- 
cisco R.. 

Milk; 

Fresh, Chicago W.. 

Fresh, bottled, delivered, Chicago. .R. . 
Milk: 

Fresh, New York W.. 

Fresh, bottled, delivered, N. Y...R.. 
Milk: 

Fresh, San Francisco W. . 

Fresh, bottled, delivered, S. F...R.. 
Eggs: 

Fresh, firsts. Chicago W.. 

Strictly fresh, Chicago R . . 

Eggs: 

Fresh, firsts. New York W . . 

Strictly fresh, New York R . . 



[Jnit. 



Lb.. 
Lb.. 



Lb.. 
Lb.. 



Lb.. 
Lb.. 



Lb.. 
Lb.. 



Lb.. 
Lb.. 



Lb.. 
Lb.. 



Lb.. 
Lb.. 



Lb.. 
Lb.. 



Lb.. 
Lb.. 



Lb.. 
Lb.. 



Lb.. 
Lb.. 



Lb.. 
Lb.. 



Lb. 
Lb. 



Lb. 
Lb. 



Lb.. 
Lb.. 



Lb.. 
Lb.. 



Lb.. 
Lb.. 



1913: 
Aver- 



year. 



July. 



$0. 168 
232 



1914 t 191.5 I 1916 



.175tS 
.260: 



1917. 



Jan. 



. 160IS0. 205 $0. 
. 258! . 281 



Lb.. 
Lb.. 



Lb.. 
Lb.. 



Qt.. 
Qt.. 

Qt.. 
Qt.. 

Qt.. 
Qt.. 

Doz. 
Doz. 

Doz. 
Doz. 



.131 
.202 


.145 
.233 


.157 
.195 


.165 
.212 


.158 
.259 


.183 
.274 


.121 

.249 


.135 

.270 



.151; 

.218! 



.149 
.190 



.152 
.217 



.127 
.294 



.166; 
.266 



.110 
.1601 



.149! 

.1981 



.182 
.214 



.310 
.362 



.323 
.382 



.317 
.388 



.142 



.154 



.159 



.038 
.080 



.03; 
.090 



.039 
.100 



.226 
.292 



,165: 
.225 



.165 
.204 



.163 
.230 



.1391 
.318 



.175 
.338 



.104 
.156 



.170 
.219 



.188 
.220 



.265 
.312 



.280 
.328 



.245 
.329 



.133 



.144 



.036 
.080 



.030 
.090 



.039 
.100 



.188 
.261 



.215 
.333! 



.143| .145 
. 228; . 241 



. 145! . 175 
.2131 .223 



.170| 
.282i 



.160 
.227 



.150 
.201 



.153 
.217 



.113 
.315 



.163 
.328 



.151 
.190 



.175 
.219 



.265 
.322 



.270 
.336 



.265 
.338 



.145 
.229 



.146 
.229 



.115 

.200 

.037 
.080 

.030 
.090 

.038 
.100 

.IfiS 
.248 

.200 
.3261 



.200 
.294t- 



.135 .145, 

.271 .2891 



.180! 
.243! 



.165 
.217 



.165 
.239 



.159 
.328 



.190 
.349 



.133 
:i68 



.190 
.231 



.215 
.256 



.275 
.335 



.285 
.346 



.255 
.333 



.145 
.242 



.151 
.228 



.13, 
.229 



.031 
.090 



.038 
.100 



.218 
.290 



.241 
.372 



.120 
.227 



.160 
.223 



.180 
.284 



.130 
.275 



.160 

.238 



.165 
.227 



.170 
.248 



.158 
.316 



.188 
.333 



.159 
.213 



.200 
.232 



.220 
.261 



.370 
.438 



.395 
.460 



.355 
.425 



.218 
.321 



.220 
.301 



.180 
.242 



Apr. I July. 



. 036 J045 
.081, .100 



.051 
.100 



.038 
.100 



.485 
.525 



.505 

'.667 



. 200 W. 190 
. 293 . 302 



.155 ,170 
. 256l . 266 



Oct. Nov 



.210 
.241 



.190 
.318 



.170 
.315 



.200 
.270 



.240 
.285 



.235 
.319 



.218 
.395 



.243 
.382 



.215 
.263 



.220 
.263 



.265 

.293 



.440 
.484 



.459 
.513 



.390 
.452 



.223 
.327 



.245 
.335 



.215 
.297 



.054 
.100 



.049 
.109 



.038 
.100 



.305 
.376 



.330 
.424 



.200 
.246 



.190 
.337 



.175 
.337 



.190 

.279 



.250 
.292 



.235 
.326 



.247 
.439 



.243 
.414 



.201 

.274 



.260 

.287 



.248 



.375 
.432 



.395 
.453 



.385 
.455 



.216 
.339 



.238 
.328 



.200 
.297 



.047 
.100 



.050 
.114 



.043 
.100 



.310 
.400 



.3.30 

.477 



.235 
.306 



.190 
.273 



.230 
.247 



.275 
.356 



.190 
.360 



.275 
.298 



.330 
.358 



.300 
.399 



.318 
.475 



.283 
.439 



.246 
.313 



.270 
.314 



.285 
.323 



.435 

.487 



.443 
.515 



.460 
.545 



.246 
.368 



.255 
.340 



.220 
.316 



.074 
.129 



.072 
.138 



.0.59 
.121 



.370 
.469 



.400 
.627 



$0. 235 
.297 



MINIMUM WAGE BILL, 1 

Wholesale and retail f rices of important food articles in selected cities — Continued. 



Article and city. Unit. 



1913: 
Aver- 



for 
year. 



Eggs: 

Fresh, extra pullets. S. F W.. Doz. $0,268 

Strictly fresh, San Francisco R. . Doz.i . 373 

Flour: I 

Winter patent, Kansas City W.. Bbl.l 4.012 

Aristos, Kansas Citv R..; Bbl.l 5.923 

Flour: 

Standard patent, Minneapolis. .. W.. Bbl.j 4..':84 

Pillsbur-v's Best, MinncapoUs R..1 Bbl.j 5.600 

Flour: I 

Fancy patent, St. Louis W.. Bbl.j 4.181 

Gold Medal, St. Louis R.. Bbl.' 6.077 

Meal, com- 

Fine, yellow. New York W . . Lb . . 

Fine, yellow, Kew York R. . Lb. . 

Beans: 

Medium, choice. New York W. . Lb. . 

Navy, white. New York R . . ' Jjb . . 

Potatoes: 

■WTiite, good to choice, Chicago W.. Bu.. 

White, Cliicago R..; Bu.. 

Rice: 

Head, New Orleans W.. Lb.. 

Head, New Orleans. R..j Lb..| 

Sugar: • j 

Granulated, New York W.. Lb..i 

Granulated, New York R.. Lb.. 



.014 
.034 



.614 
.900 



.050 



.043 
.049 



July. 



1914 



SO. 230 
.338 



3. .550 
5.733 



4.500 
5.800 



3. 700 
6.000 



.014 
.034 



1.450 
1.640 



.042 
.046 



1915 



$0. 220 
310 



6. 22.*) 
7.800 



1916 



$0. 240 
.333 



4.750 
6.700 



7.025 6.050 
8.200| 7.000 



5.890! 4.925 
8.1S7I 6.933 



1917 



Jan. 



$0,380 
.480 



8.950 
10. 600 



Apr. 



10.280 
.374 



11.450 
13. 689 



.017) 
.0351 



.019 
.042 



.058! .098 

.0811 .113 

I 

.400l .975 

.700 1.856 



.049 
.075 



.059 
.063 



.046 
.074 



.075 
.079 



9.45011.025 
10.800113.200 



8.67511.375 
10.58712.853 



.0271 .031 
. 051 . 057 



.108 
.149 



1.750 
2.370 



.048 
.074 



.066 
.074 



.130 
.162 



2.800 
3.455 



.049 
.088 

.081 



July. 


Oct. 


$0,320 
.392 


$0,435 
.608 


11.150 
13. 680 


10. 500 
13.066 


12.000 
13.424 


10. .550 
11.984 


11.375 
13.200 


11.250 
13. 100 


.040 
.070 


.049 
.082 


.1.54 

.188 


.138 

.185 


2.625 
2.975 


1.135 
1.660 


.071 
.101 


.077 
.100 


.074 
.084 


.082 
.097 



Nov. 



3. 520 
.638 



10.500 
12. 760 



10.200 
11.466 



11.100 
12. 267 



.049 
.083 



1.950 
1.623 



.078 
.101 



.082 
.100 



Relative wholesale and retail prices, expressed as percentages of the average money 
price for 1913, are contained in the table that follows. A few articles included in the 
preceding table are omitted from this one, owing to lack of satisfactory data for 1913. 
It will be seen from the table that since the beginning of the present year the retail 
prices of most of the commodities included in the exhibit have fluctuated at a rela- 
tively lower level as compared with their 1913 base than have the wholesale prices. 
This is particularly noticeable in the case of bacon, lard, dressed lamb, butter, milk, 
eggs, floui", corn meal, and potatoes. Comparing November prices with the average 
for 1913, it is seen that only 3 articles of the 28 included in the table show a larger 
per cent of increase in the retail than in the wholesale price. These are rib roast 
at Chicago and dressed poultry and granulated sugar at ]\ew York. In most of the 
other months of 1917 the retail prices of these articles were relatively lower than were 
the wholesale prices. 

Relative wholesale and retail 'prices of important food articles in selected cities (average 

for. 191-3=100). 

[The initials W=wholesale; R«=retail.] 



Article and city. 



1913: 
Aver- 



Lr 
year. 



July- 



1914 ' 1915 I 1916 



1917 



Jan. 



Apr. 



July. 



Oct. 



Nov. 



Beef: 

Steer loin ends (hips), Chicago W.. 

Sirloin steak, Chicago R.. 

Beef: 

Steer rounds. No. 2, Chicago W.. 

Round steak, Chicago R . . 

Beef: 

Steer ribs, No. .2, Chicago.... ., . , ."WL. - 

Rib roast, Chicago R.. 

Beef: 

No. 2 loins, city. New York W.. 

Sirloin steak, New York R.. 

Beef: 

No. 2 rounds, city, New York W.. 

Round steak, New York R.. 



100 
100 



100 
100 



100 
100 



100 
100 



100 
100 



104 
112 


95 
111 


111 
115 


109 
113 


105 
109 


„ ..-9a 

109 


116 
106 


108 
109 


112 

108 


112 
109 



122 
121 



111 
119 



111 
117 



127 
114 



120 
116 



119 
114 



92 
112 



114 



114 
110 



107 
110 



119 
126 



118 
127 



134 
124 



120 
123 



140 
127 



113 

130 



130 
132 



127 
126 



120 
130 



145 
135 



140 
132 



145 
135 



146 
127 



174 
137 



157 
145 



140 
128 



137 
131 



121 
126 



139 
126 



151 
135 



12 



MINIMUM WAGE BILL. 



Relative wholemle and retail prices of important food articles in selected cities (average 
for 1918=100)— Gontinned. 



Article and city. 



Beef: 

No. 2 ribs, city. New York W. 

Rib roast, New York R . 

Pork: 

Loins, Chicago W. 

Chops, Chicago ; R. 

Pork: 

Loins, western, New York VV. 

Chops, New York R. 

Bacon: 

Short, clear sides, Chicago W. 

Sliced, Chicago R . 

Hams: 

Smoked, Chicago W. 

Smoked, sliced, Chicago R . 

[.ard: 

Prime, contract, New York W . 

Pure, tub. New York R. 

Lamb: 

Dressed, round, Chicag.) W . 

Leg of, yearling, Chicago .-. . . R . 

Poultry: 

Dressed fowls. New Ycrk W. 

Dressed hens, New York R. 

Butter: 

Creamery, extra, Chicago W . 

Creamery, extra, Chicagi R. 

Butter: 

Creamery, extra, New York W. 

Creamery, extra. New York R . 

Butter: 

. Creamery, extra, San Francisco W . 

' Creamery, extra, San Francisco R. 

Milk: 

Fresh, Chicago W . 

Fresh, buttled, delivered, Chicago R. 

Milk: 

Fresh, New York W. 

Fresh, bottled, delivered. New York R. 

Milk: 

Fresh, San Franciscj W. 

Fresh, bottled, delivered, San Francisco. R. 
Eggs: 

Fresh, firsts, Chicago W. 

Strictlv fresh, Chicago R . 

Eggs: 

Fresh, firsts. New York W . 

Strictly fresh. New York R . 

Eggs: ■ ^ 

Fresh, extra pullets, San Francisco W. 

Strictly fresh, San Francisco R . 

Flour: 

Winter patent , Kansas City W . 

Aristos, Kansas City R. 

Flour: 

Standard patent, Minneapolis W. 

, Pillsburv's Best, Minneapolis R. 

Flour: 

Fancy patent, St. Louis W. 

Gnld Medal, St. Louis R. 

Meal, corn: 

Fine, yellow. New York W. 

Fine, yellow, New York R. 

Potatoes: 

White, good to choice, Chicago W. 

W hite, Chicago R . 

Sugar: 

Granulated, New York.: W. 

Granulated, New York R. 



1913: 
Aver- 
age 
fvjr 
year. 



July- 



1914 1915 1916 Jan 



100 
100 

100 
100 

100 
100 

100 
100 

100 
100 

100 
100 

100 
100 

100 
100 

100 
100 

100 
100 

100 

100 i 

1 

100 j 
100 

100 j 
100 

100 

100 ! 

I 
100 I 
100 i 

100 ' 
100 

100 
100 

100 
100 

100 
100 

100 
100 

100 
100 

100 
100 

100 
100 



109 
103 



111 

107 



107 
106 



109 
108 



114 

111 



103 
103 



95 
100 



86 
100 



100 
100 



86 



100 
100 



236 
182 



106 
104 



101 
106 



101 
100 



107 



98 
123 



128 
105 



96 
102 



100 



86 
100 



97 
100 



155 
132 



153 
146 



139 
135 



121 
103 



137 
129 



1917 



119 
111 



111 

114 



109 
110 



125 
112 



114 
131 



121 
105 



128 
117 



118 
120 



106 
109 



111 
119 



112 
114 



124 
107 



113 
125 



145 
133 



134 
117 



121 

122 



119 
121 



122 
120 



112 
110 



Apr. 



95 
101 


118 
125 


89 
100 


146 
111 


97 
100 


97 
100 


96 
101 


215 

180 


97 
94 


203 
168 


90 
89 


142 
129 


118 
113 


223 
179 


132 
125 


206 
193 


118 
114 


207 
174 


136 
124 


193 
150 


159 
151 


285 
263 


174 
161 


153 
151 



132 
124 



161 
150 



155 
147 



172 
134 



146 
144 



195 
164 



148 
133 



146 
137 



142 
134 



139 
134 



123 
116 



142 
125 



140 
121 



97 
100 



135 
129 



133 

107 



105 
.100 



285 
231 



241 
236 



272 
212 



221 

168 



456 
384 



July. 



126 
128 



168 
154 



155 
150 



194 
149 



146 
156 



183 
171 



174 
145 



136 
134 



121 
119 



122 
119 



121 
117 



124 
125 



143 
127 



110 
100 



137 
139 



141 
120 



119 
105 



278 
231 



262 
240 



272 
217 



286 
206 



428 
331 



172 
171 



Oct. Nov. 



182 
137 



221 



197 
184 



250 
162 



170 
165 



224 
196 



181 
159 



157 
151 



140 
135 



137 
135 



145 
140 



195 
161 



206 
153 



151 
121 



164 
161 



161 
158 



162 
163 



262 
221 



230 
214 



269 
216 



350 
241 



185 
184 



191 

198 



149 
128 



168 
164 



171 
156 



249 
169 



170 
t67 



225 
207 



154 
142 



129 
138 



141 
136 



138 
135 



137 
129 



184 
149 



220 
156 



151 
121 



184 
170 



189 
163" 



194 
171 



262 
215 



223 
205 



265 
202 



350 
244 



318 
180 



191 
204 



How any person could defend the salaries paid in the lower grades, 
or hesitate about voting for a minimum wage of $3 per day after 
reading these Government statistics is beyond comprehension. 



MINIMUM WAGE BILL. 



18 



In addition, the following price list is submitted. The concern 
submitting these prices caters to the needs of the poorer paid em- 
ployees of the Government in the District of Columbia. There is 
no place where they can purchase cheaper, and this list of com- 
modities covers the bare necessities: 
The following price list gives some idea of the increased cost of living: 

Comparison of retail prices of foods during December, 1914; December, 1915; December, 

1917. 



Articles. 



GROCERIES. 

Sugar, granulated, pound. 
Flour, Gold Medal, pound. 

Milk, condensed, can 

Milk, evaporated, tall 

can 

Milk, evaporated, small 

can 

Tomatoes, standard, 24's, 

can "... 

Corn, standard, 2^'s, can. . 

Peas, E.J 

Baked beans, Campbell's. 

Com meal, pound 

Hominy, pound 

Rice, best, pound 

Oatmeal, pound 

Macaroni and spaghetti, 

bulk, pound 

Prunes, small, pound 

Salmon, red Alaska, can. . 

Soups, can 

Navy beans, best, poimd. 
Lima beans, dried,pound. 

Catsup, bottle 

Sirup, can 

Corn flakes (Quaker) 

package 

Split peas, pound 

Scotch peas, pound 

Black-eye peas, pound. . . 

BEEF. 

Rib roast, pound. 

Chuck roast, pound 

Plate (soup meat) 

Porterhouse steak, pound. 
Sirloin steak, pound... 
Round steak, pound. . 
Chuck steak, pound. . . 



Decem- 


Decem- 


Decem- 


ber, 


ber, 


ber, 


1914. 


1915. 


1917. 


Cents. 


Cents. 


Cents. 


5 


6 


9i 


4 


4 


61: 


10 


10 


19 


7^ 


9 


15 


3i 


^ 


8 


7 


s 


16 


7 


7 


14 


8 


7 


12 


9 


9 


18 


3 


4" 


6 


3 


4 


8 


9 


8 


12 


5 


4 


8 


8 


8 


13 





5 


10 


15 


15 


22 


8 


9 


12 


6 


8 


18 


8 


8 


22 


9 


9 


12 


10 


10 


15 


5 


7 


8 


5 


S 


16 


6 


7 


12 


4 


6 


13 


18 


18 


27 


16 


14 


24 


12 


12 


18 


24 


24 


35 


22 


22 


32 


20 


18 


32 


18 


14 


24 



Article."!. 



BEEF— continued. 

Hamburg steak, pound . . 
Beef liver 

PORK. 

Fresh hams 

Fresh shoulders 

Fresh pork chops, lean . . . 
Fresh pork chops, loin. . . 

Fresh pork roast, lean 

Fresh pork roast, center. . 

Corned shoulders 

Corned hams 

Smoked hams, whole 

Smoked hams, sliced 

Smolced shoulders 

Smoked bacon, sliced 

Smoked sausage 

Lard, pure, pound 

Lard, compound, pound . 

BUTTER, EGGS, ETC. 

Butterme (oleo) 

Butter, first grade, pound. 

Eggs, dozen 

Cheese (cream) 

VEGETABLES. 

Potatoes, peck 

Kale, peck 

Spinach, peck 

Onions, yellow, pound . . . 

Lettuce, head 

Sweet potatoes, peck 

Cabbage, new, pound 

Bread, pound 

Total of items, 61... 



Decem- 
ber, 
1914. 



Cents. 
14 



16 

14 

16 

18 

16 

18 

14 

16 

16 

25 

14 

24 

12J, 

12 j 

10" 



Decem- 
ber 
1915. 



770 



Cents. 
12i 



15 

12-i 

14 

18 

13 

16 

15 
15 
26 
12 
23 
15 
11 
10 



Decem- 
ber, 

1917. 



891 



Cents. 
22 
1 



32 
30 
34 
38 
32 
35 
26 
32 
34 
48 
27 
44 
27 
30 
26 



1,434 



Per cent. 

Average increase on all items shown on this list from December, 1914, to December, 1917 86. 5 

Average increase on all items shown on this list from December, 1915, to December, 1917 61. 1 



About one-half (or 50 per cent) of the pay check is spent for food, which has advanced 
86J per cent in three years. 

Assuming that all other items in the family budget have remained stationary in 
price, it would require pay increase of 43 per cent to break even, as again&t the cost 
of living in 1914. 

What has happened to the cost of coal, shoes, clothing, and about everything else 
is only too well known. 

Conservatively figured, the cost of living has advanced in the past three years 
about 75 per cent. 

Were it not for the wise and energetic work of the United States Food Administra- 
tion many of these prices would now be very much higher than they are. This is 
particularly true of fl.our, bread, and sugar. 

Old Dutch Market. 



14 MINIMUM WAGE BILL. 

Most of the employees benefited by the terms of this bill work for 
the Govemnlent m the larger cities of this country and are just as 
hard hit in the matter of the increase in cost of living as those em- 
ployees who live in the District of Columbia, and the table submitted 
by the Bureau of Labor Statistics proves this contention. 

Two years a^o Prof. Keen, of the University of Washington, a 
national authority and student of economics, conducted extensive 
investigations and estimated that it cost $840 a year for absolute 
necessities for a family consisting of mother, father, and three chil- 
dren. . If this was a fair estimate two years ago, what must it be 
now, and surely the Government will not begrudge its employees 
S3 p3r day at this time when wo consider the difference in cost of 
livin^^ to-day as compared to 1915, when Prof. Keen made his inves- 
tigations? The Federal Government in dealing with the question of 
wag3s in the shipyards along the Pacific coast through the United 
States Shipping Board and wags-adjustment board appointed to 
represent both the Navy Department and the Shipping Board, has 
allowed increases in wages to the extent of about 50 per cent over 
the 1915 scale, and in the agreement drawn up regarding the settle- 
ment of wages it provides for a revision every six months to meet 
the increased cost of living. If this is the fair and just way of treat- 
ing the mechanical forces employed in the navy and shipping yards, 
why should it not apply to all Government employees, and par- 
ticularly those receiving the lowest salaries ? 

During the hearings held by the Committee on Labor of the Sixty- 
fourth Congress testimony was introduced to show that thousands of 
employees in the lower grades were working for salaries fixed in 1854, 
and these underpaid employees have had no consideration since that 
time in the matter of increases except the 10 per cent provided in 
the appropriation bills for the fiscal year of 1918. It is this class of 
employees that this bill will benefit. They are mostly in need of it, 
and it is iiigh time that the Government would set a basic wage rate 
as the minimum below which none shall be employed. 

After the bill was reported to the House in the Sixty-fourth Con- 
gress a copy was submitted to aU of the executive departments and 
independent bureaus of the Government, asking for an estimate of 
the probable cost to the Government of this legislation. Some of 
these estimates are high and are based on estimates granting the $3 
per day to part-time employees, such as charwomen, etc. A liberal 
estimate would be about $22,000,000 up to and including the fiscal 
year ending June 30, 1916. Since that time these employees have 
received a 10 per cent increase in wages, which would reduce the cost 
over $2,000,000. They undoubtedly will also receive an additional 
increase in the annual appropriation bills for the fiscal year 1919, 
which must also be deducted from the cost of this measure ; so, after 
all, the cost will be considerably under $20,000,000 at a time when 
this country is spending billions of dollars annually. 

Tile following is the estimate as received from the various executive 
departments and independent bureaus. If time permits, your com- 
mittee will be glad to furnish revised estimates as submitted by the 
departments up to date. 



MINIMUM WAGE BILL. 15 

Minimum wage hill — Estimated annual increase in appropriations. 



Department. 



White House 

State Department , 

Treasury Department 

War Department i r 

Department of Justice 

. Post Office Department: 

Departmental 468 

Postal Service. 11, 000 

Navy Department (except Mare Island Navy Yard; 

Interior Department i 

Department of Aariculture 

Department of Commerce i 

Department of Labor 

Total in departmental service 

Miscellaneous establishments: 

Smithsonian Institution 

Botanic Garden 

Civil Service Commission 

Federal Trade Commission 

Government Printing Office 

Panama Canal (Washington only) 

Interstate Commerce Commission 

Alaskan Engineer Commission 

Total United States Government employees 

District of Columbia employees 

Grand total 

■Add Mare Island Navy Yard 



Number of 
persons 
affected. 



7 

56 

n,411 

19,100 

796 



11,468 
8,728 
4,904 
2,447 
707 
£37 



Increase in 
appropria- 
tions. 



301 
30 
41 

56 

1,660 

40 

180 



$1,920 

14, 600 

3, 745, 216 

8, 700, 000 

158, 174 



4,887,505 
2,4-39,554 
2,191,278 

602, 577 
-269,226 

1J8,144 



60,101 23,118,134 



1C8, 845 
10,463 
8,120 
16, 800 
432,484 
7,420 
52,290 



5 


1,'080 


62,474 
3,812 


23, 755, 696 
1,248,510 


66,286 
460 


25,004,206 
69,836 


66,746 


25,074,042 



RECAPITULATION OF TOTAL ESTIMATES. 



Executive departments, all branches 

Miscellaneous establishments, commissions. Government Printing Office, etc 

Total United States Government employees 

District of Columbia employees 

Grand total 



60,161 
2,313 



62,474 
3,812 



66,286 



$23, 118, 194 
637,502 



23,755,696 
1,248,510 



' Subject to some modifications on account of the inclusion of part-time employees, such as charwomen, etc , 

For years efforts have been made to regulate child labor, and it was 
only recently that this House passed a child-labor bill. That measure 
affects the great industries of this country; it removes the long 
existing practice of exploitmg the child of tender years in the fac- 
tories, mines, and workshops of our Nation. The Members of this 
House believed that those children should be in school and should 
have the opportunity to build up their minds and bodies under health- 
ful conditions. Is it not equally our duty toward the low-paid Gov- 
ernment employee to see that he has a sufficient wage to enable him 
to bring up his children under decent and healthful conditions of 
mind and body? 

This measure will foster true iVmericanism and is one of the few 
sound measures of preparedness that the Sixty-fourth Congress has 
had placed before it. 

There may be some who will say that $3 per day is too high a rate 
for the men and women employed by the Goveriiment. But would 
they like to labor for or try to raise a family and live on that or less ? 
Wages of the unskilled laborers ail over the country have been 




16 



MINIM i"M \\A.:;i-: BILL 



advancing, a-ul they are not far from this rate. Strikes and walk-1 
outs are taking pkce among the unorganized unskilled workers alll 
over the country for advances in wages to meet increased prices, and! 
this will continue 'until the low-paid workers in industry are given! 
greater consideration. 

The underpaid Government employees are mostly unorganized, buti 
even where they are organized they do not strike to have their griev- 
ances adjusted. They depend upon the Government or Congress toi 
treat them fairly; and here is our opportunity, though long delayedj 
to make the Government of the United States the model employer. 

In striking contrast with this Government's treatment of its! 
employees is that of Denmark, as shown hi the followbig extract] 
from our consul general, E. D. Winslow, at Copenhagen: 

[Extract from r>^port of Consul General E. D. Winslow, Copenhagen, Denmark, Feb-. 4. 1916. Printed in j 
Supplamant to Commerce Reports No. 4a, Mar. 29, 1916.] 

DENMARK. 

As the hardships of the war fell most heavily on those having fixed incomes and 
salaries, the Government has increased the salaries of its employees to meet the higher 
cost of living. 

The prifited record of the hearings l)efore the subcommittee contam 
a liumber of lieartrending stories of Government employees who 
have worked in differeit departments for a ] timber of years. They 
toll of their struggle for existence ; how the family has had to depend 
upon neighbors and others for charity, and in some instances were 
not able to purchase any new clothing for a period covering seven 
or eight years; and others testified that they had not e- tered a 
moving-picture show or other place of amusement hi four years. 

Statements were made by individuals and those representing 
organizations of employees of conditions in the Government service, 
where employees were compelled to work overtime without extra 
compensation; also, complaints about favoritism shown in the 
matter of promotions, where length of service did not receive con- 
sideration; of misrepresentation by correspondence schools and 
others of the advantages afforded the Government employee. But 
your committee could not consider these complaints, as the bill 
before it pertained only to the question of salaries, and therefore 
confined itself to the subject matter of the bill. 

It is the belief of your committee that this is the first time in the 
history of this Government that the true conditions as affecting the 
cost of living of its low-salaried employees has ever been brougfit to 
the attention of any committee of Congress and so thoroughly investi- 
gated as has been the case in this instance. 

The passage of this biU will have a tendency to bring into the 
Government service the ver}^ highest type of young men and young 
women to fill the vacancies in the lower grades and wiU give the 
Government the first choice in tlie labor market as against private 
employers, thus tending to make the Government service highly 
efficient, for, after all, well-paid workers do their work efficiently 
and economically. Cheap work is always poor work, and with the 
right standard set the Government will profit by stimulating interest 
on the part of its employees, 

o 






Gaylord Br 

Makers 
Syracuse, N. Y- 

PW. JAN. 21, 1908 




